Our design:
A horizontal belt transect will be used to take six samples; 3 from grassland and 3 from shrubs. The number of different coloured snails will be recorded at each sample. Standards as to how to identify the jelly babies/snails will be set amongst the group before the task begins.
Hypothesis: A difference will be seen in the two separate habitats; grassland and shrub.
Null Hypothesis: No difference will be seen in the two separate habitats: grassland and shrub.
Strengths: Eliminating the variable elevation has allowed us to disregard this as a influencing factor. Due to lack of time and number of samples taken the decision was made to sample from only 2 habitats therefore increasing the replication in each habitat and the reliability of our results. The samples are far enough apart to ensure we gain independent results.
Weaknesses:
Time restrictions mean we are only able to take six samples. By restricting our samples to one elevation we have not been able to consider other altitudes which could affect our results. To increase the reliability of our experiment we could compare our data with another group, ensuring we have established the same standards of sampling. By having our six samples in a fairly straight line could mean we have not taken a true representation of the whole area.
Our design:
A horizontal belt transect will be used to take six samples; 3 from grassland and 3 from shrubs. The number of different coloured snails will be recorded at each sample. Standards as to how to identify the jelly babies/snails will be set amongst the group before the task begins.
Hypothesis: A difference will be seen in the two separate habitats; grassland and shrub.
Null Hypothesis: No difference will be seen in the two separate habitats: grassland and shrub.
Strengths: Eliminating the variable elevation has allowed us to disregard this as a influencing factor. Due to lack of time and number of samples taken the decision was made to sample from only 2 habitats therefore increasing the replication in each habitat and the reliability of our results. The samples are far enough apart to ensure we gain independent results.
Weaknesses:
Time restrictions mean we are only able to take six samples. By restricting our samples to one elevation we have not been able to consider other altitudes which could affect our results. To increase the reliability of our experiment we could compare our data with another group, ensuring we have established the same standards of sampling. By having our six samples in a fairly straight line could mean we have not taken a true representation of the whole area.